# Latinx Parenting

Connecting with our children, connecting with our roots

- Site: https://latinxparenting.org/

## The Madre Wound: What it is, and How to Heal It

- Link: https://latinxparenting.org/the-madre-wound-what-it-is-and-how-to-heal-it/
- Published: 2024-04-26T12:29:00-07:00
- Author: Leslie Priscilla

**By Leslie Priscilla**

I saw my mom’s name on the caller ID and felt a familiar knot. I was five months
pregnant with my first child, and yet had only spoken to my mom a handful of times
since I had found out, one of those times was to tell her, as my body flinched, 
that I was pregnant. Her persistence in calling me told me she was incensed. I could
feel it. I was sitting in my one-bedroom apartment where I thought I would be able
to escape her verbal abuse finally, but she called a second and third time. Finally,
my whole body flinching again, I picked up. I can’t remember why she was so enraged.
But I do clearly remember the following words said in Spanish, which no amount of
flinching could’ve protected me from:

_I wish you weren’t my daughter._

It felt like stabbing. I broke down and felt mostly frustration at myself for letting
myself become this affected. I audibly apologized to my baby. I’m so sorry, I will
be different, I promise.

When my daughter was born I couldn’t imagine ever being that cruel to a person, 
much less to my child. Shortly before that, it had been made clear that there was
a wide open sore in my soul. At the time I could only trace it back to the hurt 
my mom had caused. I resolved to heal my Madre Wound. Though at the time, I just
called it pain.

Over time, I discovered that so many women shared this same open wound. I began 
learning more about the Mother Wound. I joined Facebook groups of wounded daughters
and discovered they too found their spirits bleeding out because it had been important
to them that they felt love from their mom, but they didn’t either. We were isolated,
unsure of ourselves, and seeking some kind of progress or closure.

I learned I didn’t have a “Mother Wound” because my mother is not quite like the
white mothers that I would hear about. Some of the behaviors matched, but I couldn’t
ignore the fact that my mother was a Brown immigrant and that the histories that
led to their disconnection to themselves came from completely different in-roads.
My Madre Wound, and my madre herself, carried the implications of a deeply seated
harm via colonialism, migration, racism and white supremacy. All these wrapped around
the primary fueling agent of our mother wounds: patriarchy and its interpreter, 
machismo.

My Madre Wound showed up as the shameful belief that I was a burden when asking 
for help. It showed up as feeling not as good as others, or better than them. I 
would feel it in the tension I felt around older women. It would be the heart pounding
sensation when authority figures called to discuss something inconsequential. That
panic was programmed. “What the hell is wrong with me?” I would ask in my head. 
I knew the action and reaction were worlds apart from being a match. But the head
isn’t always connected to the body. In fact, that’s one of the core aspects of the
Madre Wound. It has disconnected us from our bodies and sees us as machines. It 
values rigid constructs of right and wrong. It places the decision making power 
in the hands of patriarchy. It is modeled, and most often unconsciously, by our 
mothers and the adult women in our lives.

Although patriarchal societies in general feed off of the oppressive ideas all women
have been trained to hold about ourselves, women from Latin American countries like
my mom have borne the brunt of assimilating while sustaining a culture that has 
put immense pressure on them to be subservient to machista men, and project their
powerlessness as power over their children. There’s an expectation they train their
children to adhere to them, to other authority, to God, and somehow overcorrect 
their own losses. We, their daughters, are born into the shackles of our expected
gender norms in the form of pierced ears as babies and parentification of our younger
siblings. This can make us feel unsafe to speak, and in many cases it makes us feel
unsafe to be or be seen.

If you are a Latina mother, you are invited to take a good hard look at the way 
your Madre Wound shows up in your life. Do you compare yourself to others? Do you
feel shame or discomfort in using your voice? If so, the following may be an starting
point to slowly begin to heal your own Madre Wounds:

## Acknowledge and Hold Dualities

Once we can accept that our mother was a victim of the above and also that we too
were harmed by our mothers, we can begin to separate our own identities from theirs
without so much guilt and shame.

## Do Not Allow the Madre Wound to Claim You as a Victim

Be encouraged to see the bigger picture and know that alongside you there is already
a collective of women who no longer want to operate from the Madre Wound. Knowing
we are not alone in this can help us feel less victimized by this wound.

## Reparent Your Inner Child

We can take our Inner Niñas and tend to them with compassion and care, with discipline
and discernment. Establishing this connection could be bumpy but will be liberating
in the long run.

## Be Patient

Do not expect yourself to suddenly become immune to your mother’s actions or words.
You may have days where you feel more tender than strong. This, as everything else
is a process.

## Develop a Relationship with Your Inner Madre

The beautiful part of healing our Madre Wounds is that we can develop a relationship
with an Inner Madre who is not punitive and not wounded like the mom we grew up 
with, but is open to unfolding confidently into who she was created to become.

As with everything, this journey contains beautiful mountain peaks and cold, dark
valleys. Do not be discouraged when you feel the familiar pain of the Madre Wound.
Recognize what it is and find community around it. We can do our best not to pass
this on to our own daughters by remaining conscious of it and transcending the rigidities
it holds for us. As challenging as it may be, it will be liberating for us and generations
to come.

**This article was originally published on September 13, 2021 on **[**ScaryMommy**](https://www.scarymommy.com/madre-wound-what-it-is-and-how-to-heal-it)**.**

**Get support with healing your Madre Wound with our **[**Introductory Workshop**](https://latinxparenting.org/workshop/healing-the-madre-wound/)**.**

## Reimagining/Decolonizing School Safety x Inner City Struggle

- Link: https://latinxparenting.org/reimagining-decolonizing-school-safety-x-inner-city-struggle/
- Published: 2023-10-27T16:29:37-07:00
- Author: manager@peanut.media

**Written by: Fernando Deveras **

![InnerCityStruggle 1](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/InnerCityStruggle_1-
1024x768.jpg)

One of the most powerful gifts we can offer our familias is space to reflect. When
we are given room to examine the oppressive narratives and paradigms that we’ve 
been taught, we can begin the work of detaching ourselves from those narratives/
paradigms that we have internalized from generation to generation. For many of our
families, this space has always been out of reach; a luxury for those with more 
resources and support. And some of us make the mistake of believing that our people
are too set in their ways to see things differently. We mistakenly fall into the
deficit mindset where we tell ourselves that terms like “nonviolence” and “decolonization”
will just go over their heads. But in reality, we are ALL capable of understanding
the framework of nonviolence and decolonization when we are given space to reflect.

Earlier this month, we hosted a workshop for a group of powerful señoras, organized
by the beautiful team at Inner City Struggle from East Los Angeles. ICS is doing
the incredible work of helping families to reflect on the punitive and carceral 
models of school safety that we commonly see (police on campus, suspensions, tickets
and citations for students, etc.). The goal is to help families reach the space 
where they can reimagine what a school actually needs in order to create a safe 
environment for students to learn and grow. It’s an important mission and something
that our communities desperately need to talk about.

We know that many families in the Latino community worry about school safety. They
see the kind of violence that happens on school campuses; fights breaking out and
videos of the fights being shared on social media. They hear about kids bringing
weapons to school, kids using drugs in the restrooms, school shootings in America
becoming more and more common. They see all this, and naturally they reach out for
whatever they think will help make their kids safer. Unfortunately, what we see 
is that too many parents have a limited idea of what safety can look like. They 
tend to call for things like more police officers and security on campus to stop
fights, metal detectors at the entrance to check for weapons, random drug tests 
for students, etc. These all sound like very practical solutions to the problems,
but what these proposed solutions don’t do is get to the root cause of these problems.

![InnerCityStruggle 2](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/InnerCityStruggle_2-
1024x768.jpg)

Instead of sending police in to break up fights, let’s figure out why our kids are
fighting in the first place and teach them how to resolve conflicts without violence.
Instead of metal detectors to catch the weapons, ask ourselves what kind of culture
we’re creating on campus that makes our students feel so threatened that they feel
the need to arm themselves. Instead of random drug tests, let’s support the mental
health of our students so they don’t resort to self medicating to deal with their
stresses and traumas. Better yet, let’s work to reduce or completely eliminate the
stresses and traumas.

If we’re serious about addressing safety for our students, then we need to get to
the root of the problem. We need to build a culture of connection, care, and community
where kids feel welcome and supported. School staff and parents need to be supported
so that they can work to build that culture. And resources, tools, trainings need
to be made available to everyone involved so that we can develop a shared vocabulary
and practice of connection, care, and community.

But all of that begins with giving our people space for reflection so we can set
a new intention to build towards that vision of a better world for our familias.

## Working Toward Change: Latinx Parenting X Mamás Con Poder / Trabajando hacia el cambio: Latinx Parenting X Mamás Con Poder

- Link: https://latinxparenting.org/working-toward-change-latinx-parenting-x-mamas-con-poder/
- Published: 2023-09-15T20:50:24-07:00
- Author: manager@peanut.media

![latinxparentingfamilias 32](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/
09/latinxparentingfamilias-32-1024x683.jpg)

We’ve always believed that activism goes hand in hand with parenting. As parents
and caregivers, it’s our duty to nourish and protect our children and fight for 
a just and equitable world where they can meet their full potential and truly thrive.
Mamás Con Poder shares this belief wholeheartedly, which is why we were so excited
to begin a partnership with them in 2022. 

If you’re not totally familiar with Mamás Con Poder, they’re an amazing grassroots
organization of powerhouse moms and women who are passionate about advocating for
social and political change. We both share a deep commitment to uplifting our families
and communities while taking action against bills and policies that seek to harm
us. Together, we’ve been amplifying our voices and taking collective action to address
some of the many challenges faced by our communities nationwide.

In the last year, we worked together with Mamás Con Poder to raise awareness on 
vital, life-changing issues deeply affecting our families and communities like Latina
Equal Pay Day, Reproductive Justice, Gun Control, and so much more. One of our most
memorable and powerful IG Lives was this May with mom Patricia Paduy-Oliver, whose
son Joaquin was murdered at the Parkland High School shooting in 2018. If you didn’t
get a chance to watch it, [click here](https://www.instagram.com/p/Csb6vPShqkM/).

Comunidad, there’s so much strength in numbers! And, when we come together with 
other organizations and people who hold similar values, we can do powerful, transformative
things. Through collective action, we can challenge the status quo, demand change,
and create a better future for our niñes so they can inherit the future they deserve
with financial security, safety, nourishment, housing, healthcare, workers’ rights,
parental rights, reproductive rights, and more.

**If you want to join our efforts, here’s how you can get involved:**

 1. [Follow us on social media: Stay up to date with the latest news, events, and resources by following Latinx Parenting and Mamás Con Poder on Instagram.](https://www.instagram.com/mamasconpoder/)
 2. [Subscribe to Mamás Con Poder’s Newsletter](https://action.momsrising.org/signup/Informado/)
    and our Latinx Parenting Newsletter so you stay informed on the work we’re doing
    both locally and nationally.
 3. Support our advocacy efforts: Sign petitions, make phone calls, and write to your
    local representatives to demand change. Our voice is our power, and we need to 
    use it every chance we get.

Remember, our collective power is unstoppable. By coming together, supporting each
other, and organizing for change, we can create a world where all families and communities
can thrive.

¡Nos vemos pronto, querida comunidad!

-The Latinx ParenTEAM

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/MamasConPoder.png)

[Follow/Sigue Mamas con Poder](https://www.instagram.com/mamasconpoder/)

**Trabajando hacia el cambio: Latinx Parenting X Mamás Con Poder**

Siempre hemos creído que el activismo va de la mano con la crianza de los hijos.
Como padres y cuidadores, es nuestro deber nutrir y proteger a nuestros niños y 
luchar por un mundo justo y equitativo donde puedan alcanzar su máximo potencial
y prosperar verdaderamente. Mamás Con Poder comparte esta creencia de todo corazón,
por ende, nos emocionó el haber comenzado una asociación con ellos en 2022.

Si no está totalmente familiarizado con Mamás Con Poder, son una increíble organización
de base conformada por madres y mujeres poderosas apasionadas por abogar por el 
cambio social y político. Ambos compartimos un profundo compromiso de elevar a nuestras
familias y comunidades mientras tomamos medidas contra proyectos de ley y políticas
que buscan dañarnos. Juntos, hemos estado amplificando nuestras voces y tomando 
medidas colectivas para abordar algunos de los muchos desafíos que enfrentan nuestras
comunidades en todo el país.

En el último año, trabajamos junto con Mamás Con Poder para crear conciencia sobre
temas vitales que cambian la vida y que afectan profundamente a nuestras familias
y comunidades, como el Día de la Igualdad Salarial Latina, la Justicia Reproductiva,
el Control de Armas y mucho más. Uno de nuestros IG Lives más memorables y poderosos
fue el que tuvimos en mayo con Patricia Paduy-Oliver, madre de Joaquín, quien fue
asesinado en el tiroteo de Parkland High School en 2018. Si no tuviste la oportunidad
de verlo, haz [clic aquí](https://www.instagram.com/p/Csb6vPShqkM/).

Comunidad, hay tanta fuerza en los números! Y, cuando nos unimos a otras organizaciones
y personas que tienen valores similares, podemos hacer cosas poderosas y transformadoras.
A través de la acción colectiva, podemos desafiar el status quo, exigir cambios 
y crear un futuro mejor para que nuestros niñes puedan heredar el futuro que se 
merecen con seguridad financiera, seguridad, alimentación, vivienda, atención médica,
derechos de los trabajadores, derechos de los padres, derechos reproductivos, y 
más.

**Si desea unirse a nuestros esfuerzos, así es como puede participar:**

 1. [Síganos en las redes sociales: manténgase actualizado con las últimas noticias, eventos y recursos siguiendo a Latinx Parenting y Mamás Con Poder en Instagram.](https://www.instagram.com/mamasconpoder/)
 2. [Suscríbase al Boletín de Mamás Con Poder](https://action.momsrising.org/signup/Informado/)
    y a nuestro Boletín de Latinx Parenting para mantenerse informado sobre el trabajo
    que estamos haciendo tanto a nivel local como nacional.
 3. Apoye nuestros esfuerzos de promoción: firme peticiones, haga llamadas telefónicas
    y escriba a sus representantes locales para exigir un cambio. Nuestra voz es nuestro
    poder, y debemos usarla cada vez que podamos.

Recuerda, nuestro poder colectivo es imparable. Al unirnos, apoyarnos mutuamente
y organizarnos para el cambio, podemos crear un mundo donde todas las familias y
comunidades puedan prosperar.

¡Nos vemos pronto, querida comunidad!

-El Equipo Latinx ParenTEAM

## HEALING IN COMUNIDAD WITH LAEP-NEV

- Link: https://latinxparenting.org/healing-in-comunidad-with-laep-nev/
- Published: 2023-07-06T07:03:17-07:00
- Author: Leslie Priscilla

![2023 07 05 2 1](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-07-
05-2-1.png)

It’s hard to convey the power of the experience that was the retreat I facilitated
for two separate groups of Spanish-speaking community members in San Fernando at
the end of the first week of June, but I have to try. Because, comunidad, it was
so special. 

This retreat was filled with men and women who had been a part of our nearly two-
year partnership with LA Education Partnership which began in 2021. Over the span
of 16 months total, I facilitated two rounds of the Criandome Cuidandome Reparenting
Ourselves series via Zoom. Each month, I would facilitate active participation in
processing of the framework of the Inner Niñe–Inner Parent–Future Abuelite Self.
By the second round, the group had the language down. I found ourselves going deeper
in the work. The energy grew stronger and more connected between all of us. 

One of the most memorable experiences I had through this process was the week of
Uvalde and the people in the group held each other and processed the experience,
the fears, the hopes for solutions, how this felt in our bodies, and how we might
be able to help our children navigate the scariness of the world, when we ourselves
sometimes feel doubtful we can do so ourselves. I can’t explain how needed it was
to be in virtual Circulo this week for us all. We began talking about eventually
being able to see each other in person, with a convivio or some other kind of graduation
celebration. It became something spoken until the end of the sessions earlier this
Spring. 

Then, at the end of May of this year, a year after Uvalde, Nancy and Sandra, who
had been the lideres of the coordination and execution of this partnership, invited
us to San Fernando to facilitate a retreat for the group of 40 people that I had
been working with over the last two years. It was an immediate hell yes. I would
FINALLY get to hug Doña Carmen, Lidia, las Marias, and so many others that I had
looked forward to seeing virtually for two years.

Danellia, my comadre and Director of Community Partnerships for LP, helped me set
up the altar in the center of the room. I had asked the participants to bring something
for the altar, and the items ranged from dolls to frames to yo-yo’s and small wicker
chairs. We added plantitas, Gratitude affirmation cards, burning palo santo, and
other grounding items.

We set our intentions for the hours we would share together and began with a meditation
to bring us into a space of connection with our Inner Niñes. We moved into some 
deep reflective exercises that included journaling, empathic listening, gentle touch,
and holding one another in our arms and with the intention to allow ourselves to
be held and to hold. There were so many stories and experiences shared, along with
many laughs and tears. Danellia assisted by sharing with us all her musical medicinal
gifts through singing.

Each of the two sessions was completely unique but equally beautiful. The vulnerability
that was displayed between all of us as a group, between the participants, and with
themselves, was sincere and magical. 

I remain feeling so privileged to have been able to remind the group of the truth
about themselves, their sacredness, and their capacity for healing themselves and
everyone they’d be experienced by thereafter. It was an honor to hold space for 
the stories and witness the ways they were all willing to drop into the deepest 
parts of themselves in community. It’s a retreat I will never forget and one that
I hope to replicate for many others to generate similar heart-opening experiences
that are centered in culture and our capacity for love and liberation from the most
personal and interpersonal levels out to the greater community. I am grateful. 

## No Podemos Promulgar el cambio sin las Mamás / We Can’t Enact Change Without Moms

- Link: https://latinxparenting.org/no-podemos-promulgar-el-cambio-sin-las-mamas-we-cant-enact-change-without-moms/
- Published: 2023-05-16T14:38:57-07:00
- Author: Leslie Priscilla

![latinxparentingfamilias 555 copy2 1024x843](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/
uploads/2023/06/latinxparentingfamilias-555-copy2-1024x843-1.jpeg)

El mes de mayo se trata de celebrar a las mamás y reconocer todo lo que hacen por
sus familias e hijos, pero también es importante resaltar su papel como activistas
y agentes de cambio.

Seamos realistas, las mamás siempre están al frente de los movimientos sociales 
y el cambio, marchando, exigiendo acción, firmando peticiones y organizando a otros
para que hagan lo mismo. E independientemente de lo cansadas que estén, nunca se
detienen.

Las madres son muy tenaces, y simplemente no podríamos promulgar el cambio sin ellas.
Saben cómo hacer las cosas.

Es por eso que comenzamos una asociación importante el otoño pasado con Mamás con
Poder, una comunidad de habla hispana de Moms Rising para crear conciencia sobre
los problemas cruciales que afectan a las mujeres, los padres, los niños y las familias
en los Estados Unidos. Saben que hay poder en los números y se han estado movilizando
durante años para luchar por cambios en las políticas que nos afectan a todos.

En este momento, se están aprobando tantos proyectos de ley que están afectando 
profundamente a nuestra comunidad de maneras negativas que podrían tener un efecto
dominó para las generaciones venideras. Una de las formas en que podemos apoyarnos
unos a otros y luchar contra las políticas y los proyectos de ley dañinos es tomar
medidas y usar nuestras voces para hablar. Gracias a nuestra asociación con Mamás
con Poder, hemos podido llegar a una audiencia aún más amplia al compartir contenido
de las redes sociales en español, junto con peticiones para firmar y compartir con
amigos y seres queridos.

Durante el segmento de nuestra asociación el año pasado, discutimos la igualdad 
salarial para las latinas, DACA y la justicia reproductiva. Compartimos [consejos](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpyjpH_jnWh/)
para elevar el estándar para nosotras mismas como latinas en la fuerza laboral, 
compartimos [ideas](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpTkd4yL-J2/) para que los beneficiarios
de DACA manejen la ansiedad en tiempos desconocidos y enfatizamos la importancia
de la [justicia reproductiva](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpF5NyTJvP1/) para las
personas que ya son padres de niños y requieren acceso al aborto para una gran cantidad
de razones.

Nuestro trabajo con Mamás con Poder está lejos de terminar y te invitamos a unirte
a nosotros en la lucha por cambios que nos beneficien a todos. Estén atentos y asegúrese
de seguir a [Mamás con Poder](https://www.instagram.com/mamasconpoder/) y [Moms Rising](https://www.instagram.com/momsrising/)
en Instagram para conocer el próximo contenido sobre otras leyes importantes que
discutiremos y sobre las que tomaremos medidas, como el control de armas, las políticas
de inmigración y más.

![mamas con.poder](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mamas-
con.poder_.png)

mamasconpoder.org

May is all about celebrating moms and acknowledging everything they do for their
families and children, but it's important to highlight their role as activists and
changemakers, too.

Let's be real, moms are always on the front lines of social movements and change,
marching, demanding action, signing petitions, and organizing others to do the same.
And regardless of how tired they are, they never, ever stop. 

Mothers are so tenacious, and we simply could not enact change without them. They
know how to get things done. 

That's why we began an important partnership last fall with [Mamás con Poder](https://www.mamasconpoder.org/),
a Spanish coalition of [Moms Rising](https://www.momsrising.org/) to raise awareness
of crucial issues affecting women, parents, children, and families in the United
States. They know there's power in numbers, and have been mobilizing for years to
fight for policy changes that affect all of us.

Right now, there are so many bills being passed that are profoundly affecting our
community in negative ways that could have ripple effects for generations to come.
One of the ways we can support one another and fight back against damaging policies
and bills is by taking action and using our voices to speak up. Thanks to our partnership
with Mamás con Poder, we've been able to reach an even wider audience by sharing
social media content in Spanish, along with petitions to sign and share with friends
and loved ones.

During the segment of our partnership last year, we discussed equal pay for Latinas,
DACA, and reproductive justice. We shared [tips](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpyjpH_jnWh/)
for raising the bar for ourselves as Latinas in the workforce, shared [ideas](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpTkd4yL-J2/)
for DACA recipients to manage anxiety during unknown times, and emphasized the importance
of [reproductive justice](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpF5NyTJvP1/) for people who
are already parents to children and require abortion access for a myriad of reasons.

Our work with Mamás con Poder is far from over and we're inviting you to join us
in fighting for changes that benefit all of us. Stay tuned and make sure you're 
following [Mamás con Poder](https://www.instagram.com/mamasconpoder/) and [Moms Rising](https://www.instagram.com/momsrising/)
on Instagram for upcoming content regarding other important legislation we'll be
discussing and taking action on like gun control, immigration policies, and more.

## Community Resource Spotlight: Sex-Ed To Go

- Link: https://latinxparenting.org/community-resource-spotlight-sex-ed-to-go/
- Published: 2023-05-04T01:24:00-07:00
- Author: Leslie Priscilla

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Latinx-Parenting-x-pppswhealth-
PHOTO-1024x664.jpg)

In honor of [Sex Ed For All Month](https://sexeducationcollaborative.org/sex-ed-all-month),
celebrated every year in the month of May, we’re thrilled to partner with [Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-pacific-southwest)
to share an important community resource: [Sex Ed To-Go](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-pacific-southwest/campaigns/sex-ed-to-go).

Sex Ed To-Go (SETG) is a free, bilingual sex education platform that provides helpful
tips for parents on how to talk to their kids about sex, helps youth learn foundational
knowledge about health and relationships, and offers resources and trainings for
teachers.

Courses for youth cover a wide range of topics – from reproductive anatomy, puberty,
pregnancy prevention methods, sexually transmitted infections, consent, healthy 
relationships, and more. Courses for parents help you explore and manage your own
emotions and messages about sex, and teach you tips and tricks for effective conversations.

So much of sexual and reproductive health is rooted in autonomy and having answers
when you need them. It’s our hope that young people can grow up in a world where
they have the tools they need about sexual health so they can make the best decisions
for their health and their lives. Dismantling Chancla Culture also means addressing
the harmful cultural practices that keep us from healing, like shame and silence
around sex. 

Access to quality reproductive and sexual health information is critical for adolescents
and young adults, but particularly for Latinx youth – who too often lack basic access
to health care, and for whom conversations about sexual and reproductive health 
incite discomfort, stigma and shame in the home.

[Learn More](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-pacific-southwest/campaigns/sex-ed-to-go)

While young people ages 15-24 represent only one-quarter of the sexually active 
population, they account for nearly half of all new sexually transmitted infections(
STIs) each year. According to [the Guttmacher Institute](https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/american-teens-sexual-and-reproductive-health),
the number of schools across the United States providing sexual health education
declined between 2000 and 2014. In 2016, only 38% of U.S. high schools provided 
comprehensive instruction on sexual health education, while a dismal 14% of U.S.
middle schools provided sexual health education. 

What’s more, as of 2017, fewer than 7% of queer students reported that their sex
education included positive representations of LGBTQ-related topics. 

It’s our hope at Latinx Parenting that parents, guardians, those who work with young
people, and young people themselves, are all equipped to communicate with one another
about sexual and reproductive health. 

Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest strives to ensure that every person –
regardless of their race, income, insurance, gender identity, sexual orientation,
abilities, or immigration status – can access expert, compassionate sexual and reproductive
health care and education without shame or judgment. Sex Ed To-Go makes this a real
possibility – in two languages, from the comfort and privacy of your home. 

For more information on Sex Ed To-Go, visit [planned.org/sexedtogo](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-pacific-southwest/campaigns/sex-ed-to-go).
For courses completely in Spanish, click [here](https://sexedtogostudents.thinkific.com/collections/parents-caregiversSP).

Be sure to follow Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest on social media at
[@pppswhealth](https://www.instagram.com/pppswhealth/) for up-to-date information.

[[

## 8 Activities That Can Foster Community Care

- Link: https://latinxparenting.org/8-activities-that-can-foster-community-care/
- Published: 2023-03-03T00:35:32-08:00
- Author: Leslie Priscilla

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vonecia-carswell-0aMMMUjiiEQ-
unsplash-1024x683.jpg)

## **Meet Ysabel Garcia of Estoy Aquí LLC**

Estoy Aqui addresses suicide and mental health by examining the underlying social,
cultural, and structural issues that affect our well-being. We acknowledge that 
there are both benefits and barriers to accessing any form of mental health care.
We encourage you to research and find the resources that best suit your needs and
help you navigate what forms of care to tap into along your unique journey.

Estoy Aquí Website

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/estoyaqui-LLC-logo.png)

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_5729-200x300-1.jpg)

**Listen to Estoy Aqui’s #WhyIAmStillHere #PorQueSigoAqui podcast series for a more
in-depth
exploration of 8 activities that can foster Community Care!

“Wow! I love that. – Yes! Thank you for making that connection! – this is Fantastic!”
This was my response repeatedly as I journeyed through my recent podcast series,
[#WhyIAmStillHere #PorQueSigoAqui.](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpwfgvk4uTS_dtYdk1E5Qhw/streams)
Being a host for the first time was a little nerve-wracking but exciting at the 
same time.

The question I was curious about was: What is the connection between community, 
culture, and mental health?
Since the 1960s, the subject of self-care has been steadily
on the rise in U.S. mainstream media ([Slate](http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2017/04/the_history_of_self_care.html)).
Today, it has become a mental health call to action and promises to boost self-esteem,
confidence, and overall well-being. It is a multimillion-dollar idea, and its message
is clear.

**_Take care of yourself first._**

But for many experiencing stress, trauma, and even thoughts of death, self-care 
can feel very overwhelming and isolating. Especially for those of us in Black and
Brown communities where microaggressions, implicit bias, and discrimination are 
ever present, self-care falls short as a protective factor for our mental health.

By broadening the idea of mental health care to include the community, we expand
the resources we have to become and stay well. – “Community Care has existed in 
the Latinx and QTBIPOC communities for generations and is rooted in collectivistic
beliefs that the well-being of the individual is intrinsically tied to the well-
being of others” ([MHA](https://www.mhanational.org/bipoc-mental-health/community-care)).

In Community Care, we share space, give energy, and make time for others. We work
to build our own strengths while supporting others in finding theirs. We begin to
connect the dots of what works for us as we help others on their journey and create
a sense of belonging through activities of shared creativity and social connection.

—Ysabel Garcia

## Listen to Estoy Aqui’s #WhyIAmStillHere #PorQueSigoAqui podcast series

### 1. FOOD: Public Health, Cultural Assimilation & Community Care

“Improving our health, we can do that as a community. When you are looking at health
from a holistic place, you have to address food. You have to address where this 
person lives, what they have access to, how much money they have….”
– Ariana Williams

When you look at a list of “healthy” foods and say, “Wait, MY food is not there,”
what does that mean? The social connection, reciprocity, and labor of love we experience
through cooking, eating, and shopping OUR food is a powerful form of Community Care.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST feat.
Ysabel Garcia, Founder, Estoy AquíAriana Williams, BSPH,
CHW, Strategic Grant Writer

Listen to Episode

### 2. JOURNAL SWAPPING: Communication, Honesty & Community Care

“A lot of us are unlearning the barriers around not communicating because it wasn't
normalized. Culturally, we weren't allowed to talk about our feelings. When writing[
journal swapping], we always had to be very intentional. We always had to speak 
from love even if it was something difficult.” – Stephanie Marrero-Wilson.

Journal Swapping is a complex and intentional communication process with those we
love. It can build our capacity for conflict resolution and trust by teaching us
to resist urgency and impulsivity. Honest communication through Journal Swapping
is a courageous and authentic form of Community Care.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST feat.
Ysabel Gacia, Founder, Estoy AquíStephanie Marrero-
Wilson, Founder, Beneath The Healing

Listen to Episode

### 3. THE BARBERSHOP: Black Hair Joy, Trust Building & Community Care

“ People are actually talking, and maybe the tv is going, and so you are seeing 
the news and striking up a conversation. You can kind of see how are people doing
with what is happening in their everyday lives. It is the development of culture
and community…it transcends generations.” – Tanisha Arena.

It is so much more than hair. You get your specific Barber time and time again. 
They KNOW you. You TRUST them with your vision of who you are. Barbershops are powerful
places of Community Care.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST feat.
Ysabel Gacia, Founder, Estoy AquíTanisha Arena, Executive
Director, Arise for Social Justice

Listen to Episode

### 4. GAMING: Dialogue, Skill Building & Community Care

“Gaming is a time and space for my own interests. It also allows for a lot of community
building. It starts conversations.. and you can learn a lot about different cultures
and different aspects of life that you might not have thought about before.” – Charlie
Laboy.

Dialogue, character creation, and laughter make Gaming a unique learning culture.
Gamers learn how to connect with others, gather resources, and problem-solve. Building
skills alongside others makes gaming an engaging and fun form of Community Care.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST feat.
Ysabel Gacia, Founder, Estoy AquíCharlie Laboy, Founder,
BoyCharliePlays

Listen to Episode

### 5. CROCHET: Art, Activism & Community Care

“Self-care does not have to turn into a capitalist hustle. It can just be something
that centers and grounds you. And if I want to make a simple scarf for a shelter
or some program…why not? There are just so many different ways to use crochet to
build community.” – Jose Luis Maldonado Velez.

The fiber community connects Art to Activism by supplying people in need with hats,
scarves, and other pieces. As a stress reliever, crocheting can slow our breathing,
increase our focus, and support social connection through gift offerings. ARTivists
make crocheting a creative and meaningful form of Community Care.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST feat.
Ysabel Gacia, Founder, Estoy AquíJose Luis Maldonado
Velez, Holyoke Counselor At Large

Listen to Episode

### 6. BABYWEARING: Connection, Family & Community Care

“Generations of people have lost or have been denied their cultural babywearing 
and baby-caring traditions. Empowering yourself to take back these practices…carries
on that mental and emotional feeling of being connected to your community.” – Laconia
Fennell.

Doulas work through every stage of birth and baby care that includes all types of
caregivers; everyone in the family benefits from the emotional connectedness resulting
from babywearing. Babywearing is a sacred form of Community Care.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST feat.
Ysabel Gacia, Founder, Estoy AquíLaconia Fennell, Holistic
Birth Doula, Springfield Family Doulas

Listen to Episode

### 7. SOIL CARE: Nature, Belonging & Community Care

“The process of colonization separated us from the land, from our medicine, from
the way that we feed ourselves. [It is about] going back to the root and taking 
care of that soil. Gardening work is Placemaking…a third place for folks [to be]
stewards, not just of the land but also the community.” – Terry Gibson

Soil Care takes care of the soil our plants grow in. It benefits our mental health
through opportunities for connecting with nature, socializing, and physical exercise.
It is also an immune system regulator that creates healthier food. Soil Care is 
a grounding form of Community Care.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST feat.
Ysabel Gacia, Founder, Estoy AquíTerry Gibson, Field
and Cultural Organizer, Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts

Listen to Episode

### 8. SPOKEN WORD: Creativity, Verbal Arts & Community Care

“Spoken word…it is just me expressing myself and people feeling comfortable to express
themselves. It is an
art form. They say a picture paints a thousand words. I flip
it in reverse. A thousand words paint a picture.”– Aaron Joseph St. Louis

Verbal Arts allow room for honest communication and brave spaces. Spoken word poetry
can help break the tension, reframe thoughts, and increase self-esteem. It allows
us to understand different perspectives and make sense of the world through storytelling.
Spoken Word is a creative form of Community Care.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST feat.
Ysabel Gacia, Founder, Estoy AquíAaron Joseph St. Louis,
Spoken Word Artist

Listen to Episode

## Top 10 Highlights of 2022

- Link: https://latinxparenting.org/top-10-highlights-of-2022/
- Published: 2022-12-31T00:14:56-08:00
- Author: Leslie Priscilla

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Grey-Colorful-Happy-New-
Year-Card-1024x731.png)

## 1. 

Leslie signed a book deal and it will be released in 2024! Make sure you’re following
along on Instagram as she shares more about the process and any exciting updates
that may arise.

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Im-writing-a-book-1024x1024.
png)

## 2. 

Being able to host a work retreat in Rosarito, Mexico was a dream come true for 
Leslie and the Latinx ParenTeam. There’s really nothing like having a good brainstorming
session overlooking the ocean! So many semillitas were planted for the future and
we’re starting to see some of the fruits of our labor.

## 3. 

After what felt like a super long hiatus, Latinx Parenting safely returned to in-
person events. 

**In 2022, Leslie:**

—Facilitated in-person workshops for the [Olive Crest](https://www.olivecrest.org/)
team

—Gave a keynote at Orange County's “Take Action for Mental Health” fair at the Santa
Ana Zoo

—Facilitated for Vista Village's annual work meeting 

—Facilitated a reparenting workshop for the Promotoras of the [East Los Angeles Women's Center](https://www.elawc.org/)_&
and more!_

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Im-writing-a-book-2-1024x1024.
png)

## 4. 

This year, Leslie and the Latinx ParenTeam hosted their 1st Annual Professionals
Mixer for professionals in Southern California! What an honor and privilege it was
to connect with old colleagues and meet new people eager to do their part to #EndChanclaCulture
in the communities they serve. (We're doing it again in February! Stay tuned if 
you are local to Orange County, CA)

## 5. 

Our social media campaigns with some of our valued partners really made an impact
in growing our Scholarship Fund. Thanks to [Understood](http://www.understood.org/),
[Carnegie Hall](https://www.carnegiehall.org/), [Planned Parenthood](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-orange-san-bernardino),
[Zócalo Health](http://zocalo.health/), and [Mamás con Poder](https://www.mamasconpoder.org/),**
we’ll be able to continue offering scholarships in 2023 to those who need them as
well as **offer a [free workshop in Spanish in February 2023](https://latinxparenting.org/giving-tuesday/)**!**

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/3-1024x1024.png)

## 6. 

Our ongoing partnership with [A Number Story](https://numberstory.org/) and [American SPCC](https://americanspcc.org/)
continues to stay strong. Leslie is also officially in the American SPCC [Trusted Parenting Network](https://americanspcc.org/trusted-parenting-network-leslie-priscilla/),
alongside other well-respected and well-known parent coaches, mentors, and experts.

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Untitled-design-21-1024x1024.
png)

## 7. 

2022 was a year filled with exploration, good times, and unforgettable memories!
The Latinx ParenTeam had a blast at Universal Studios, which was super healing for
their inner niñes. Leslie and Karissa also attended and represented Latinx Parenting
at the [We All Grow Latina](https://www.weallgrowlatina.com/summit-2022-videos/)
Summit in Palm Desert.

## 8. 

This year, we built our very own virtual school called [Escuelita](https://latinxparenting.org/escuelita/)!
You can now access all of our workshops, courses, and offerings in one easy place.
With the launch of Escuelita, parents, caregivers, and former Latinx kids will also
be invited to build community with others on a journey to #EndChanclaCulture.

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ESCUELITA-Web-Featured-
Image-1024x536.png)

## 9. 

Leslie recently traveled to Philadelphia for [Mijente’s 2022 Lánzate Conference](https://mijente.net/lanzate/)
where she was one of their special guest speakers.

## 10. 

It’s been a year-long process, but we developed a virtual network on the platform
Circle that will be launched soon! **El Pueblito **will be a place for connection,
healing, and growing en comunidad. We can’t wait to share more updates with you 
as they come!

![](https://latinxparenting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMGL5174-1024x683.jpg)

## Recursos en español

- Link: https://latinxparenting.org/recursos-en-espanol/
- Published: 2022-12-17T00:05:00-08:00
- Author: Leslie Priscilla

¡Gracias al generoso apoyo de nuestros patrocinadores Mamás con Poder y Zócalo Health,
así como a las contribuciones de nuestra comunidad, pudimos recaudar mas de $14k
para nuestra campaña Giving Tuesday!

Recaudar este dinero nos ha permitido trabajar hacia nuestra meta a largo plazo 
de llevar contenido, talleres y cursos en español a nuestra comunidad que solo habla
español. También nos permitió ofrecer nuestro primer taller GRATUITO en español,
Crianza en Comunidad.

Queremos extender nuestro más profundo agradecimiento a todos los que asistieron
a nuestro taller gratuito el sábado 17 de diciembre. Y, como entendemos la importancia
de la accesibilidad para continuar su viaje, queremos compartir con todos ustedes
los siguientes recursos en español.

**Libros:**

_[Criando](https://bookshop.org/p/books/criando-a-su-nino-con-orgullo-latino-como-ayudarle-a-su-hijo-a-valorar-su-cultura-y-triunfar-en-el-mundo-de-hoy-parenting-with-pride-latino-style-carm/7937002?ean=9780060593469)_
[ a ](https://bookshop.org/p/books/criando-a-su-nino-con-orgullo-latino-como-ayudarle-a-su-hijo-a-valorar-su-cultura-y-triunfar-en-el-mundo-de-hoy-parenting-with-pride-latino-style-carm/7937002?ean=9780060593469)_
[Su Niño con OrgulloLatino](https://bookshop.org/p/books/criando-a-su-nino-con-orgullo-latino-como-ayudarle-a-su-hijo-a-valorar-su-cultura-y-triunfar-en-el-mundo-de-hoy-parenting-with-pride-latino-style-carm/7937002?ean=9780060593469)
_escrito por Carmen Inoa Vazquez

[Un grito desesperado](https://bookshop.org/p/books/un-grito-desesperado-pocket-carlos-cuauhtemoc-sanchez/6865671?ean=9786077627081)
escrito por Carlos Cuauhtémoc Sánchez

[Disciplina Sin Lágrimas](https://bookshop.org/p/books/disciplina-sin-lagrimas-no-drama-discipline-daniel-siegel/6817963?ean=9788490704523)
escrito por Tina Payne Bryson y Daniel Siegel

[Comunicación no Violenta: Un Lenguaje de vida](https://www.amazon.com/Comunicaci%C3%B3n-Violenta-Lenguaje-Nonviolent-Communication/dp/193433619X/ref=asc_df_193433619X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366301040772&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2059591140710102234&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031574&hvtargid=pla-868468771807&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=76223197357&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366301040772&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2059591140710102234&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031574&hvtargid=pla-868468771807)
escrito por Marshall B. Rosenberg

**Videos:**

[https://www.sparksvideoseries.com/home-es](https://www.sparksvideoseries.com/home-es)

**Sigue estas útiles cuentas de Instagram en español:**

[instagram.com/fundacionamable ](http://instagram.com/fundacionamable)

[instagram.com/motherly.goddess](http://instagram.com/motherly.goddess)

[instagram.com/marianaplatapsy ](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/biencriados ](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/ajmpsicointegral ](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/universodefamilias ](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/palomamensajeracomunidad ](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/pallamares](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/amoranuestrospeques](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/lazosdemadre ](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/latinaboomermom ](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/conalmademama ](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/madres_imperfectas ](http://goog_577816463/)

[instagram.com/mindheart.kids ](http://instagram.com/mindheart.kids)